June 2007

The camouflage steam-engine keeps chugging through the half way point of what is turning out to be a stellar year for the A&F Pro Development Cycling Team! June saw 2 more USA Crits Championship Series events, 3 heavy regional stage races and tons of additional racing around the country take place.

Round 2 of the USA Crits Championship Series took place in Arlington, VA at the CSC Invitational. The race promoter would not allow the full 6 person roster into the field and bent some rules that made defending our overall leads difficult. Nonetheless, Mark persevered and pulled out another solid performance to make the final selection and only increased his lead, despite the lack of  allowable team support.

Round 3, the AT&T Austin Amli Criterium, was to be much different, with Mark and the team blitzing the field , placing 3 guys in the top 20 (Mark Hekman - 8th, Rich Harper - 9th and Brandon Gavic - 12th respectively). Mark animated the evening with a 3 man breakaway that tore the fields legs off for 35 laps, only to get caught part way through the final lap! As a result, Mark increased his overall lead in the series, Rich Harper claimed the 8th spot and Brandon Gavic moved into 10th spot on the overall leader's board. Mark's huge efforts also slung him into 1st in the laps led competition and the A&F Pro Development Cycling Team sits in the number 1 spot above all pro teams for the team points competition!

Tour of Ohio Stage 6, Springfield Criterium Photo: Blair Fraley

The team continued its successes at the Tour of Ohio, an important event for the team and home to Abercrombie & Fitch's base camp. The guys claimed 4 of the 6 stages (Marco Aledia - stages 1 & 6, Josh England - Stage 2 and Mark Hekman - stage 4.) The camo-clad warriors claimed all 3 jerseys and 2 podium places in their brute show of force. Overall victory went to Mark Hekman, Josh found himself in 3rd overall, Mark grabbed the Yellow Leader's Jersey, Tim Swain convincingly sealed the KOM Polka-dot Jersey and Marco Aledia won his 3rd consecutive Green Sprinter's Jersey. Wow.

Not all of June was to be elation for the team. British rocket, Neil Coleman, found the reason behind his lack-luster US campaign - a severely injured IT band, received while training in early April when hit by a speeding car. Neil tried to persevere and raced the entire USA Crits SE Series, Joe Martin Stage Race and some local events. All he received for his brave and selfless efforts was a worsened injury. The Brit is on the road to recovery, and may be at the start line of the International Cycling Classic (formerly known as Super-Week). We all wish Neil a rapid recovery.

A collaborative ad/tribute to Mark and the team's huge win at Athens was released in the newest (July 9, 2007) issue of Velo News. The ad/tribute was funded by Masi Bikes, Kenda Tire, Spinergy, Rudy Project, Thomson, Wobble-Naught and Slipstreamz. Thank you, all, for your tremendous support and share of pride in our program.

You may also read an article on Mark, aptly named "What the Hek?", found in ROAD Magazines August 2007 issue. The writing brings an insight to Mark and his breakthrough win at the 2007 Athens Twilight Men's Pro Criterium.

See you all at the races!

Best regards,